Improved Cancer Care in Medicaid Expansion States
TL/DR –
A study led by American Cancer Society researchers found that cancer patients with health insurance coverage fare better than uninsured patients. The study compared cancer patients from states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to those from states that did not, and revealed that Medicaid expansion increased cancer screening, early diagnosis, provided better care for patients and decreased racial disparities. However, it noted that many patients may face challenges with care access and continuity, especially following the end of COVID-19 pandemic protections for Medicaid coverage.
Health Insurance Crucial for Cancer Patients: American Cancer Society Study
Cancer patients with health insurance coverage tend to have better outcomes following diagnosis compared to uninsured patients. A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society analyzed the effect of insurance coverage on cancer patients’ prognosis, comparing patients in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act with those that did not.
In Medicaid-expanded states, 20% of college-aged or working adults diagnosed with cancer were insured via Medicaid, with only 2% uninsured as of 2019. By contrast, in states that did not expand Medicaid, 8.1% of cancer patients lacked insurance. Oregon, New Mexico, and Kentucky saw the highest percentage of cancer patients gaining Medicaid coverage, whereas Texas had the highest number of uninsured cancer patients, followed by Florida and Georgia.
Expanded Medicaid Increases Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis
The study findings suggest that Medicaid expansion improved cancer screening, early diagnosis, and patient care. It also decreased racial disparities among cancer patients. As emphasized by Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, expanding Medicaid increases access to healthcare, thereby improving cancer survival rates. “In short, expanding this health insurance program is saving lives,” Lacasse stated.
Post-Pandemic Medicaid Coverage and Enrollment
The investigation focused on data before the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions gained Medicaid coverage thanks to the federal aid provided to states. Yet, states began to reduce their Medicaid rolls as they resumed eligibility checks once the public health emergency ended. The greatest drops in Medicaid enrollment post-pandemic occurred in states that didn’t expand Medicaid, including Texas and Florida.
Shift from Medicaid to ACA Coverage Increases
A KFF analysis found that nearly 1 million people chose Affordable Care Act (ACA) and individual insurance plans between April and September last year, some of whom were previously on Medicaid. The Biden administration recently announced that over 20 million Americans have signed up for ACA marketplace insurance coverage, as of Dec. 23, with enrollment open through Jan. 16 on Healthcare.gov. Despite these record signups, Medicaid coverage remains more widespread and robust.
Impact of Medicaid Coverage on Cancer Patient Care
Dr. Xin Hu, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, highlighted that the study underscores the challenges cancer patients may face in accessing care, especially with the withdrawal of COVID-19 pandemic protections for Medicaid coverage.
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